Matthew May Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA Sage Journals Society and Mental Health December 29, 2017 Abstract Religious affiliation is generally associated with better mental health. The nonreligious, however, currently constitute one of the fastest-growing religious categories in the United States. Since most of the nonreligious were raised in religious…
Starting Out in Mainstream America
Starting Out in Mainstream America (Livia Bardin, M.S.W.), offers information about life in the USA today. Adjusting to any new culture can be slow, difficult, and painful. If you are entering or preparing for re-entry into mainstream American life after a long absence, or perhaps for the first time, you may…
Essay: Coping With Trance States
Patrick Ryan Cult Observer, Volume 10, No. 3, 1993, “Guest Column: Coping With Trance States”; and first appeared in the Summer 1992 issue of TM EX NEWS. Trance states, derealization, dissociation, spaceyness. What are they? What strategies can we use to cope with them? By trance states we mean dissociation,…
Born or Raised in Closed, High-Demand Groups: Developmental Considerations
An increasing number of individuals are entering mainstream society who were born and/or raised in cults or closed, high-demand groups. In my work as a mental health professional specializing in trauma and recovery from spiritual abuse, I regularly encounter these individuals.
Coping with Triggers
Dissociation is a disturbance in the normally integrative functions of identity, memory, or consciousness. It is also known as a trance state.
Aspects of Recovery
Recovery from cults is a multifaceted process; initially it is the separation from the group, group practices, and meetings that bound us to the group. Therapy helps address the emotional aspects of group involvement – feelings of betrayal, abuse and vulnerability to recruitment. It helps to develop and understanding…